Manchester United continued their winning streak under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, securing a 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win marks Carrick's fourth in a row since taking charge. The match, however, was significantly influenced by a first-half red card issued to Tottenham's captain, Cristian Romero.

The pivotal moment occurred in the 29th minute when Romero was given a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Casemiro, catching the midfielder's ankle with his studs up. This dismissal forced Tottenham to play with ten men for over an hour, significantly impacting their ability to compete.

Prior to the red card, United had already demonstrated their dominance, creating several scoring opportunities. Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on the numerical advantage in the 38th minute, scoring from a well-executed set-piece routine. Bruno Fernandes played a corner down the byline to Kobbie Mainoo, who laid the ball off for Mbeumo to strike home from the edge of the area.

In the second half, United continued to press, with Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham's goalkeeper, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Goals from Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha were disallowed due to offside. Vicario also denied long-range efforts from Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. Eventually, Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory for Manchester United in the 81st minute, instinctively turning in a cross from Dalot.

The victory propels Manchester United closer to the top of the Premier League table, positioning them just three points behind second-placed Manchester City. For Tottenham, the defeat compounds their recent struggles, leaving them in 14th place and increasing the pressure on manager Thomas Frank.

Adding to Tottenham's woes, Destiny Udogie was forced off the field with a suspected injury, further depleting their already thin squad. Romero's red card also carries further implications, as he will now face a four-match suspension, a significant blow considering he had just complained about the lack of available players. This will be a four match ban for Romero, as it was his second red card of the season.

The match also marked a significant milestone for Bruno Fernandes, as he reached 200 goal involvements for Manchester United in the Premier League in just 314 games. Only Wayne Rooney reached the milestone quicker, in 295 games.

Carrick's impact on Manchester United has been undeniable, revitalizing the team and securing crucial victories. The win against Tottenham not only extends their winning run but also strengthens their position in the race for a Champions League spot.